DrWho

• Building, manufacturing jobs protected
• Gates to shut on 18,500 foreign workers
• Unions expected to welcome move

LOCAL building and manufacturing jobs will be firewalled, with the Rudd Government set to close the gate on about 18,500 foreign workers this year.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans will reveal the Government is to cut its permanent skilled migration program this financial year by 14 per cent to protect Australian jobs.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574...44-421,00.html

steve_kelly_and_boys

hi

saw this on there as well

The changes mean building and manufacturing trades will be removed from Australia's critical skills list, protecting local bricklayers, plumbers, welders, carpenters and metal fitters.

it doesnt mention when this will kick in though

any ideas ?

all the best steve

RCoight

There's about 3 threads running on this in the Immigration forum, so you might be well advised to keep an eye out on there as well.

DrWho

There's actually a similar thread in the Immigration forum posted by George Lombard at almost the same time as this one. If you want specific answers he might well reply to any questions...

Thought we'd have a general chin wag about it in here... reckon there's a fair few that don't go into the Immigration bit once they're here...

coralsr6

what about electricians i have had a look but nothing said please help we are going to start our visa app

bigAPE

The news here this morning is saying that all Building & Manufacturing skills are being removed from the list to allow local Australians to pick up the few remaining jobs while the financial crisis gets worse.

This includes plumbers, electricians, builders, etc.

Just found this in The Age

http://www.theage.com.au/national/sk...0315-8yyp.html

coralsr6

just had a look on go matilda and electricians are still on the list its just welders plumers etc

bigAPE

Sorry.. just seen these threads on the same subject

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597714
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597237
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597709

bigAPE

Yep sorry, just seen this. On the news they mentioned electricians, perhaps they are wrong.

RCoight

Keep an eye on the other threads and be aware I don't think the official announcement has been made yet.

Dorothy

I've merged these two threads, since they are essentially the same. There is also a thread in the immigration section with information from some of the agents.

Wol

I can't get my head around why? If they had enough skilled people before, why did they allow new immigrants in the first place? And if they *didn't*, just who is going to make up the shortfall?

RCoight

Read any papers or seen any TV news recently? Say, the last 6 months or so?

ABCDiamond

The Government will reduce the planned record intake of 133,500 workers in 2008-09 to 115,000

If they are cutting the current year by that figure, then that almost means a dead stop on this years intake.

But, this will affect many people already in Australia as about half of the permanent visas granted are given to applicants already living and working in Australia, on other visas.

Those on 457's currently applying for PR, may have a problem.

Burbage

It's a fiasco anyway. Up until December last year hairdressers were on the critical list. How on earth could Australia grind to a halt due to a lack of hairdressers?